Steve from England

Yes, it is appears my blog is, at best, managing a monthly update! So, what since November 14th then? Well …. OK, actually ‘Expedition Everest’ in Animal Kingdom, Orlando not the real mountain, way too much like hard work! Yes, yet another visit to the USA and most certainly my last … for 2011 anyway!   The villa wasn’t too far away from the September location, only a couple of miles so not too difficult to find even without the satnav. The Cadillac was awesome and only $50 to fill up for a 400 mile range. A powerful 3.6l lump under the hood ensured driving never had to get dull! That and WJRR on the radio as well … what a damn shame we don’t have anything remotely like WJRR here in the UK! Got to see a real alligator in the wild totally for free, the first time I’d just seen one when out and about and it was a big bugger too, not sure how big exactly as we never got a good enough view to see the whole body at the same time but it had to be way over 7’ and maybe...

Yes, it is appears my blog is, at best, managing a monthly update! So, what since November 14th then? Well …. OK, actually ‘Expedition Everest’ in Animal Kingdom, Orlando not the real mountain, way too much like hard work! Yes, yet another visit to the USA and most certainly my last … for 2011 anyway!   The villa wasn’t too far away from the September location, only a couple of miles so not too difficult to find even without the satnav. The Cadillac was awesome and only $50 to fill up for a 400 mile range. A powerful 3.6l lump under the hood ensured driving never had to get dull! That and WJRR on the radio as well … what a damn shame we don’t have anything remotely like WJRR here in the UK! Got to see a real alligator in the wild totally for free, the first time I’d just seen one when out and about and it was a big bugger too, not sure how big exactly as we never got a good enough view to see the whole body at the same time but it had to be way over 7’ and maybe...

Look, I don’t write here often enough, I know it, you know it and anyone who doesn’t know it has no idea this blog even exists! I got a message on Facebook Sunday night, I didn’t believe it was possible for that person to sink any lower. They managed to make ‘low’ seem like the new ‘high’ and I can only hope that, one day they will realise that threatening people, especially ‘certain’ people, is not the way to live a life. Because of that message, some time this week I am going to have to do something I didn’t really want to do and confront that person personally to see if there can be an ‘understanding’, a way to move forward with, at the very least a compromise to agree to differ. I sure as hell don’t want this dragging on forever and a day, it’s high time the cycle came to an end. I opened a site some months ago, not connected with the above by the way. One day I am going to be a little unable to communicate effectively so I thought to myself, maybe I should write down some ...

Look, I don’t write here often enough, I know it, you know it and anyone who doesn’t know it has no idea this blog even exists! I got a message on Facebook Sunday night, I didn’t believe it was possible for that person to sink any lower. They managed to make ‘low’ seem like the new ‘high’ and I can only hope that, one day they will realise that threatening people, especially ‘certain’ people, is not the way to live a life. Because of that message, some time this week I am going to have to do something I didn’t really want to do and confront that person personally to see if there can be an ‘understanding’, a way to move forward with, at the very least a compromise to agree to differ. I sure as hell don’t want this dragging on forever and a day, it’s high time the cycle came to an end. I opened a site some months ago, not connected with the above by the way. One day I am going to be a little unable to communicate effectively so I thought to myself, maybe I should write down some ...

Past couple of weeks we have had Adam take over as Zoey’s PA and an excellent job he is making of it, better already than anyone else before him but then, I knew he would be and he was, after all, my first choice when I was first able to get a PA for her, he just wasn’t available! Nearly a week ago now our Danny turned up rather early! He’s doing fine though and a healthy 8lbs 7oz. I am not sure just which way round it is but suspect that each time I look at Sean I see Danny! Daisy is boob feeding and managing really well though, somehow I can’t help but wonder how the hell she’s managing to stay awake? I am a very lucky guy to now have 4 wonderful grandchildren and so need a picture of them all together, one day, when they are all that much older, I’d love to do a trip with  them all to Disney, it’ll be totally magical to see their faces light up! Perhaps I need to buy more lottery tickets? Maybe I should stop buying lottery tickets? Adam has been add...

Past couple of weeks we have had Adam take over as Zoey’s PA and an excellent job he is making of it, better already than anyone else before him but then, I knew he would be and he was, after all, my first choice when I was first able to get a PA for her, he just wasn’t available! Nearly a week ago now our Danny turned up rather early! He’s doing fine though and a healthy 8lbs 7oz. I am not sure just which way round it is but suspect that each time I look at Sean I see Danny! Daisy is boob feeding and managing really well though, somehow I can’t help but wonder how the hell she’s managing to stay awake? I am a very lucky guy to now have 4 wonderful grandchildren and so need a picture of them all together, one day, when they are all that much older, I’d love to do a trip with  them all to Disney, it’ll be totally magical to see their faces light up! Perhaps I need to buy more lottery tickets? Maybe I should stop buying lottery tickets? Adam has been add...

Just when I start thinking everything in my world is going to amazingly well, it starts to crumble! This time with Javis I was so sure it was going to work but, once again, it’s all collapsed, he’s gone. This is not the place to tell the story other than to say, I am really very sad about it and that, just lately, the levels of stress have made me ill. If I could wind back time, know what caused the problem and stop it, I would. Sadly, I didn’t see it coming and, by the time I tried to sort it, things had already gone too far. I said to him I didn’t want him as part of this family if he left, it was a bluff to get him to stay, it backfired and now he believes it, it’s my only regret that he still believes it. Maybe, one day in the future, things will sort themselves out. I get he won’t ever live in the same place again, I get that he has his own life but that doesn’t write off every possibility. Annoyingly, I am still very not well. I am eating again which is good but, my body is n...

Just when I start thinking everything in my world is going to amazingly well, it starts to crumble! This time with Javis I was so sure it was going to work but, once again, it’s all collapsed, he’s gone. This is not the place to tell the story other than to say, I am really very sad about it and that, just lately, the levels of stress have made me ill. If I could wind back time, know what caused the problem and stop it, I would. Sadly, I didn’t see it coming and, by the time I tried to sort it, things had already gone too far. I said to him I didn’t want him as part of this family if he left, it was a bluff to get him to stay, it backfired and now he believes it, it’s my only regret that he still believes it. Maybe, one day in the future, things will sort themselves out. I get he won’t ever live in the same place again, I get that he has his own life but that doesn’t write off every possibility. Annoyingly, I am still very not well. I am eating again which is good but, my body is n...

Where I feel I have achieved what I like to achieve, helping others relax, enjoy life and feel loved Annoyingly, this damn body and brain of mine are objecting and I feel totally exhausted and need of some TLC and thinking, 28th Oct feels like too long to wait for that relaxing massage! Have some unfinished things here to do (un-started in some cases) and I am setting Monday aside for those so, please no one think of booking me on that day. Tomorrow, Saturday, is my relax and recover day, again, sorry but I am off limits for lifts and running about all day. Need to get some plans fleshed out, see what I can settle on for next year. Need all those involved in the Halloween party to talk to each other and decide who is doing and proving what. Am loving life if I can just stay awake long enough  

Where I feel I have achieved what I like to achieve, helping others relax, enjoy life and feel loved Annoyingly, this damn body and brain of mine are objecting and I feel totally exhausted and need of some TLC and thinking, 28th Oct feels like too long to wait for that relaxing massage! Have some unfinished things here to do (un-started in some cases) and I am setting Monday aside for those so, please no one think of booking me on that day. Tomorrow, Saturday, is my relax and recover day, again, sorry but I am off limits for lifts and running about all day. Need to get some plans fleshed out, see what I can settle on for next year. Need all those involved in the Halloween party to talk to each other and decide who is doing and proving what. Am loving life if I can just stay awake long enough  

The totally awesome decorating done by mainly Daisy & Sean but with significant help from Deej, Chris and Jess? Not to mention, (but I did) the amount of support from Clare (and I think I spent that wrong). Still looking forward to Florida with Robin and excellent to see him so excited despite his best efforts! Really looking forward to the birth of Daniel (Danny) and Grace. I know it may seem weird to some that I consider Grace to be my granddaughter considering there is no blood between us but, I cannot consider Javis to be my son without thinking of all his children (it’s OK to stop now Javis) as my grandchildren. That doesn’t lessen my feelings towards my biological offspring, I have plenty of love and energy to go around at the moment … I never have and still don’t do favourites. Have decided what I want for Christmas, never done that before, quite a unique experience for me and yes, I’d love the Sebring but, let’s get real here!

The totally awesome decorating done by mainly Daisy & Sean but with significant help from Deej, Chris and Jess? Not to mention, (but I did) the amount of support from Clare (and I think I spent that wrong). Still looking forward to Florida with Robin and excellent to see him so excited despite his best efforts! Really looking forward to the birth of Daniel (Danny) and Grace. I know it may seem weird to some that I consider Grace to be my granddaughter considering there is no blood between us but, I cannot consider Javis to be my son without thinking of all his children (it’s OK to stop now Javis) as my grandchildren. That doesn’t lessen my feelings towards my biological offspring, I have plenty of love and energy to go around at the moment … I never have and still don’t do favourites. Have decided what I want for Christmas, never done that before, quite a unique experience for me and yes, I’d love the Sebring but, let’s get real here!

Awesome time in Orlando, loads of pics and video which I may eventually get time to sort out! Great to be with Javis out there, we got along most of the time and, when we didn’t, we hugged and made up and maybe learnt a little more about each other. . Missed Deej (obviously), actually, I get really quite home sick when away but, it’s good for me to recharge now and then I think Good listening to WJRR , a totally awesome Orlando based radio station! Been busy booking the next one for November with Robin. Still some things to do but the vast majority is now booked and paid for. Suffered Jet-Lag for a few days after our return which must have lowered my immune system so I got some more boils, this time under my armpit … yet more antibiotics! On the plus side, I was starting a diet anyway as I ‘fit in’ too well in the US! The antibiotics seem to lower my appetite so, win win situation albeit I feel sort of crap with the discomfort of the boils and stupidly tired much of the time! I am prob...

Awesome time in Orlando, loads of pics and video which I may eventually get time to sort out! Great to be with Javis out there, we got along most of the time and, when we didn’t, we hugged and made up and maybe learnt a little more about each other. . Missed Deej (obviously), actually, I get really quite home sick when away but, it’s good for me to recharge now and then I think Good listening to WJRR , a totally awesome Orlando based radio station! Been busy booking the next one for November with Robin. Still some things to do but the vast majority is now booked and paid for. Suffered Jet-Lag for a few days after our return which must have lowered my immune system so I got some more boils, this time under my armpit … yet more antibiotics! On the plus side, I was starting a diet anyway as I ‘fit in’ too well in the US! The antibiotics seem to lower my appetite so, win win situation albeit I feel sort of crap with the discomfort of the boils and stupidly tired much of the tim...

For some reason, the past few nights I have not been able to sleep well at all and tonight is the worst yet! I was already feeling restless, in pain and irritable before going to bed not to mention itchiness in various locations which keeps shifting (very strange). Sometimes, I get like this when my allergies have just gone into overdrive. I guess, that would fit. I have been exposed to a whole host of irritants the past few weeks, I shouldn’t be that shocked they’d get the better of me eventually, I always hate this feeling of not being able to breath properly though, it kind of sucks. Am still feeling there is a lot of take and not enough give in my life, I doubt this will ever change. Hopefully, when I wake up tomorrow, presuming I’ll ever get to sleep, I shall be feeling a little better. Sadly, I somehow doubt it seeing as all the things which set off my allergies are now around me on a daily basis Would love to say “off to sleep” but, I’m not, am just passing the time waiting to f...

For some reason, the past few nights I have not been able to sleep well at all and tonight is the worst yet! I was already feeling restless, in pain and irritable before going to bed not to mention itchiness in various locations which keeps shifting (very strange). Sometimes, I get like this when my allergies have just gone into overdrive. I guess, that would fit. I have been exposed to a whole host of irritants the past few weeks, I shouldn’t be that shocked they’d get the better of me eventually, I always hate this feeling of not being able to breath properly though, it kind of sucks. Am still feeling there is a lot of take and not enough give in my life, I doubt this will ever change. Hopefully, when I wake up tomorrow, presuming I’ll ever get to sleep, I shall be feeling a little better. Sadly, I somehow doubt it seeing as all the things which set off my allergies are now around me on a daily basis Would love to say “off to sleep” but, I’m not, am just passing the time waiting...

All rather over stated about Facebook, it’s just kind of dead this evening. Am getting most keen to have another grandson on the scene and, better yet, to have both my new grandsons on the scene. Am seriously hoping I am not too shattered to be of any use to anyone! Hurting like hell most days, just not enough rest really and a lot of stress muscle knotting .. may have to find the money from somewhere to make a visit to Caroline. Holiday only a month away now, well, a month and a day … sort of looking forward to it but, nervous at the same time of what may happen at home when I am gone. The ‘finances’ are looking bleak, serious efforts have to be made to stop spending at the rate we are else we’ll be in trouble (which we’re not yet) Probably off to Macro tomorrow, see if I can save some cash on bulk purchases … am thinking beef and pork, shall have to see

All rather over stated about Facebook, it’s just kind of dead this evening. Am getting most keen to have another grandson on the scene and, better yet, to have both my new grandsons on the scene. Am seriously hoping I am not too shattered to be of any use to anyone! Hurting like hell most days, just not enough rest really and a lot of stress muscle knotting .. may have to find the money from somewhere to make a visit to Caroline. Holiday only a month away now, well, a month and a day … sort of looking forward to it but, nervous at the same time of what may happen at home when I am gone. The ‘finances’ are looking bleak, serious efforts have to be made to stop spending at the rate we are else we’ll be in trouble (which we’re not yet) Probably off to Macro tomorrow, see if I can save some cash on bulk purchases … am thinking beef and pork, shall have to see

The amazing thing is, last time we were only half way through June! OK, Sean has a job, Javis has moved back home again (14 July), Anne is still pregnant as is Daisy. We have a tank full of tropical fish now, two cold water fish, two hamsters, three rats, two cats and two snakes. Did I have the Seat Copa last time? Not sure, if not then, we do now. The current MPG is 43, far better than the Renault. I went back up to Suffolk again for work and relaxation, very enjoyable and restful it was too. The meeting with Social Services went well and the social worker allowed a little extra to cover the amount I would have to contribute and encourage me to be constructive with the accounting to cover the costs. Also, with Zoey in mind, the DWP have decided that, despite the note from the doctor stating she was ‘fit for work’ that she really isn’t a suitable candidate for employment. Annoyingly though, they won’t increase her benefit level until September! That’s around £70 a week we won...